Edwards is preparing for life in the second tier alreadyplaceholder image
Edwards is preparing for life in the second tier already | Getty Images
Wolves have struck two post-deadline sale agreements ahead of their clash with Chelsea.
Rob Edwards’ men are 18 points from safety with 14 games remaining, and it is a matter of time until their descent to the second tier is confirmed.
While Wolves will want to remain competitive - or at least relatively speaking - the certainty of their relegation has allowed them to strike some good deals in January, rather than waiting until the summer when clubs can take advantage of their situation.
Jorgen Strand Larsen was sold for around £47million to Crystal Palace, and in a late deal, past the English deadline but still within the Turkish one, they have now agreed to sell Emmanuel Agbadou.
Besiktas have been working on a deal since December, according to the Expresss and Star, and the same outlet say the deal has been agreed and that it will be worth £17million when achievable add-ons are met by the end of the season.
The Midlands club were said to be keen on landing a deal to earn their money back on the centre-back, and they have actually made £1million in profit, something they were unlikely to achieve if they waited until after the season to try to strike a deal.
Agbadou had made 14 league appearances for Wolves this season, so the sale does logically weaken Edwards’ squad, but it’s clear they are working towards their first season back in the Championship, which will be music to Chelsea’s ears ahead of this weekend’s clash.
Wolves also sell Arias
Elsewhere, TeamTalk report that Jhon Arias is being sold to Palmeiras for £21million, with Wolves also making a profit on that deal.
A reported Wolves source told TeamTalk: “This is not a fire-sale, but both deals are good value. Both players were not in the manager’s plans, relegation or not, and they wanted to leave – to make money on both is good for the club.”
Be that as it may, Chelsea will be rubbing their hands, with Larsen having also been sold. Adam Armstrong and Angel Gomes were brought in during the winter window, but failure to win for Chelsea this weekend would be a huge black mark.
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